JP2001306440A - Electronic information content automatic distribution service system, information processing apparatus, recording medium, and electronic information content automatic distribution method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To be able to continuously watch the latest Web page in a desired field in advance at a fixed time without depending on a troublesome input operation or information search operation when starting up a system startup screen. To A service system for automatically distributing electronic information contents based on a usage contract concluded in advance between an information provider and a user, comprising: an information distribution means for distributing electronic information contents to a user; An information processing apparatus 2 for receiving and processing electronic information contents distributed from the information distribution means 1
The information processing apparatus 2 includes a first preset
At the time, the terminal connection management device 3 of the information provider is called and connected, and the electronic information content from the information distributing means 1 is received and stored. Then, the electronic information content is read out at the second time. This is displayed on a monitor or the like.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic electronic information content suitable for application to an electronic content regular viewing service business for periodically distributing electronic information content such as news, weather forecast, traffic information, menu information and the like. The present invention relates to a distribution service system, an information processing device, a recording medium, and an electronic information content automatic distribution method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the development of communication means such as telephone lines, satellite lines, and the Internet, and information processing apparatuses such as personal computers and mobile phones, application software called Internet boomerang has been developed in these information processing fields. In many cases, a homepage automatic display function called auto navigation is used.

According to this Internet boomerang,
When a keyword is entered in a web page, received mail, or stored document database registered in the past,
The target information is searched and collected based on the keyword.

According to the auto-navigation function, a specific content provider is designated in advance by a line connection provider (provider), and only the homepage of the content provider is always accessed, Immediately after the personal computer is connected to the line connection provider, the user is guided to a homepage of a content provider specified in advance.

[0005]

According to the conventional method for distributing electronic information content, for example, a personal computer is connected to a line connection operator, and the user can access the electronic content information by the content provider in real time. The method of searching and obtaining is used.

[0006] Internet boomerang and auto-navigation functions are used in this method, but when the user always tries to view the latest electronic information contents in a desired field one after another at a fixed time, the system starts. Each time the screen is launched, a keyword must be input to search for a Web page. Another problem is that information other than the electronic content information requested by the user is displayed on a plurality of monitor screens.

[0007] Incidentally, this type of electronic information content distribution method is called Internet FAX service,
There is an automatic electronic content distribution system for distributing newspaper clipping information and the like. However, since the electronic information content provided by this system is monochrome display data, there is a problem that pictures and characters are difficult to see.

Therefore, the present invention solves such a conventional problem, and does not depend on a troublesome input operation or information search operation at the time of starting up the system startup screen, but always sets a desired time at a predetermined time. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic information content automatic distribution service system, an information processing device, a recording medium, and an electronic information content automatic distribution method that enable the user to view the latest electronic information content in the above-mentioned fields in sequence.

[0009]

An object of the present invention is to provide a service system for automatically distributing electronic information based on a usage contract concluded in advance between an information provider and a user. An information distributing means for distributing the information to the user; and an information processing device for receiving and processing the contents of the electronic information distributed from the information distributing means. Automatically distributing electronic information contents by calling and connecting distribution means, receiving and storing electronic information contents from the information distribution means, and then reading and displaying the electronic information contents at a second time. Solved by the service system.

According to the electronic information content automatic distribution service system according to the present invention, when automatically distributing the electronic information content based on the previously concluded use contract, the first electronic information content distribution time is set in advance. When a time and a second time that is a time for displaying the electronic information content are set,
At the first time, the information distribution means is called and connected to the information processing device of the user. At the same time, the electronic information content from the information distribution means is received and stored by the information processing device. Thereafter, at a second time, the information processing device reads out and displays the electronic information content.

Therefore, the user can view the latest electronic information in a desired field one after another at a fixed time without relying on a troublesome input operation or information search operation when starting up the system startup screen. . As a result, it is possible to construct an electronic content regular viewing business model that regularly distributes electronic information contents such as news, weather forecasts, traffic information, and menu information.

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an apparatus for automatically receiving electronic information content distributed from information distribution means based on a usage contract previously concluded between an information provider and a user, A communication device for calling and connecting the information distribution means and receiving the electronic information content distributed from the information distribution means; a storage device for storing the electronic information content received by the communication device; A display device for displaying the content of the issued electronic information, and at least a control device for controlling input and output of the communication device and the display device. The control device controls the information distributing means at a preset first time. While calling and connecting, receiving and storing the electronic information content from the information distribution means,
It is characterized in that the electronic information content is controlled to be read and displayed at a second time.

According to the information processing apparatus of the present invention, when the electronic information content distributed from the information distribution means is automatically received based on a usage contract concluded in advance between the information provider and the user, For example, when a first time which is a time at which the electronic information content is distributed and a second time which is a time at which the electronic information content is displayed are set by the operation means, first, the control is performed at the first time. The device calls information distribution means and connects to the information processing device of the user. With this,
The electronic information content distributed from the information distribution means is received by the communication device, and the electronic information content is stored in the storage device. Thereafter, at the second time, the control device reads the electronic information content from the storage device and displays it on the display device.

Therefore, the latest electronic information content of a desired field is continuously viewed on a display device at a predetermined time without depending on a troublesome input operation or information search operation at the time of starting up a system startup screen. be able to. Thereby, the electronic content regular viewing business model and the like can be sufficiently applied.

A recording medium according to the present invention is a recording medium used for automatically distributing arbitrary electronic information contents from an information distribution means of an information provider to an information processing apparatus of a user. A first procedure relating to a usage contract concluded between the provider and the user, a first time at which the electronic information is received from the information distribution means, and the electronic information displayed on the information processing apparatus A second procedure for setting a second time, which is a time to be performed, and calling the information distribution means at the first time to connect to the information processing apparatus of the user, and transmitting the electronic information content from the information distribution means. A control program having a third procedure for reading and displaying the electronic information content in the information processing device at a second time is received and stored, and thereafter, the control program is recorded.

According to the recording medium of the present invention, the latest electronic information content of a desired field is always determined at a predetermined time without depending on a troublesome input operation or information search operation at the time of starting a system startup screen. The user's information processing device can be operated so that the user can view one after another. Thereby, the electronic content regular viewing business model and the like can be sufficiently applied.

An electronic information content automatic distribution method according to the present invention is a method for automatically distributing arbitrary electronic information content from an information distribution means of an information provider to a user's information processing apparatus. The user and the user conclude a use contract, at least a first time at which the electronic information content is downloaded from the information distribution means, and a time at which the information processing device displays the electronic information content. A second time is set, the information distribution unit is called at the first time to connect to the information processing device of the user, and the electronic information content from the information distribution unit is received and stored.
At a second time, the information processing device reads out and displays the electronic information content.

According to the method for automatically distributing electronic information content according to the present invention, a user's information processing apparatus can always be set at a fixed time without depending on a troublesome input operation or information search operation when starting up a system startup screen. In, the latest electronic information content of a desired field can be viewed one after another. As a result, it is possible to construct an electronic content regular viewing business model that regularly distributes electronic information contents such as news, weather forecasts, traffic information, and menu information.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of an electronic information content automatic distribution service system, an information processing apparatus, a recording medium, and an electronic information content automatic distribution method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. .

(1) Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an electronic information content automatic distribution service system 10 as an embodiment according to the present invention. In this embodiment, when automatically distributing electronic information content based on a previously concluded use contract, an information processing apparatus that receives and processes the electronic information content is provided, and information distribution is performed at a preset first time. Means for calling and connecting the means, receiving and storing the electronic information content from the information distribution means, and then reading and displaying the electronic information content at a second time. This makes it possible to view the latest electronic information contents in a desired field one after another at a fixed time without depending on the troublesome input operation and information search operation.

In the electronic information content automatic distribution service system 10 shown in FIG. 1, a use contract is individually concluded in advance between an information provider and a plurality of users, and based on the use contract, the electronic information contents (hereinafter, referred to as “content information”). This is a service system for automatically distributing electronic content to those users.
For electronic contents, news, politics, economy, society, weather forecast, traffic information, hobby information, industry news, entertainment, sports information, etc. are handled.

The system 10 is provided with an information distribution means 1 for distributing electronic contents to users. The information provider constantly distributes the latest electronic contents, which are sequentially updated to the users.
In this example, the information distributing means 1 provides a plurality of terminal devices #i (i
= 1 to n), and a terminal connection management device 3 for selecting a terminal device #i for providing electronic content based on the usage contract and connecting to the information processing device 2 of the user.

The terminal device #i is installed for each content provider, and each content provider establishes a homepage, and the homepage includes news, politics,
Includes economic, social, weather forecasts, traffic information, hobby information, industry news, entertainment and sports information.

The terminal connection management device 3 is installed in a line connection provider called a provider, and a usage contract is previously concluded between the content provider and the line connection provider regarding the use of electronic contents. The terminal connection management device 3 is connected to a database 4 for customer management, and records and stores the content selected by the user, the method of paying the usage fee, and the name, age, address, and the like as customer information.

In this example, the advertisement information is distributed together with the electronic contents from the information distribution means 1 to the information processing device 2 of the user. The advertisement information includes an area-specific advertisement regarding the user's residence area. The advertiser will pay the advertising fee to the line connection operator, but by reflecting this advertising fee on the user's electronic content usage fee, the burden of the usage fee collected from the user will be reduced. Is also good.

The information distribution means 1 is individually connected to a user's information processing device 2 through communication means such as a telephone line, the Internet, and a satellite line, and receives electronic contents distributed from the information distribution means 1. To be processed. Each information processing device 2 calls and connects the information distribution means 1 at a preset connection time (first time) to the line connection carrier, and receives the electronic content from the information distribution means 1. Then, at the display time (second time), the electronic content is read and displayed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the information processing apparatus 2 as an embodiment according to the present invention. The information processing apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 2 has an automatic receiving function of electronic contents distributed from the information distribution means 1 based on a usage contract previously concluded between the user and the line connection provider. The information processing device 2 includes a desktop personal computer (hereinafter simply referred to as a personal computer) having a communication function, a notebook personal computer, a mobile phone,
A mobile terminal device is used.

That is, the information processing device 2 has at least a communication modem (communication device) 11, and the information distribution means 1
To connect the information processing device 2 to the terminal connection management device 3 of the line connection operator and to have a function of receiving the electronic content distributed from the information distribution means 1.

A control device 12 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) is connected to the communication modem 11, and a storage device 13 is connected to the control device 12. The storage device 13 stores electronic contents received by the communication modem 11. As the storage device 13, a memory (RAM) with a backup function and which can be written and read at any time is used. In addition, a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory or a hard disk is used.
In portable devices, stick memories with built-in EEPROM are used.

A display device 14 and a sound device 15 are further connected to the control device 12. The display device 14 displays the electronic content read from the storage device 13. In this example, a display repetition mode is prepared. When this mode is set, even after a plurality of electronic contents are displayed in a loop on the display device 14, these electronic contents are repeatedly displayed.

In this example, the display device 14 displays an area-limited advertisement related to the residence area of the user together with the electronic content. As the display device 14, a liquid crystal display monitor or a cathode ray tube (CRT) is used. Sound device 1
In 5, the audio information added to the electronic content read from the storage device 13 is reproduced and output. A sound processing circuit, a speaker, and the like are used for the sound device 15.

The control unit 12 is connected to the operating means 16 so that, for example, a user is registered with a line connection operator at the time of a usage contract, and the user selects a field of electronic content. A method of paying a usage fee for the automatic distribution service of electronic contents is input. Further, the operation unit 16 is operated to set a display time (second time) at which the electronic content is read out and displayed on the display device 14. When the display time is set, the control device 12 calculates backward from the display time,
A connection time (first time) for calling the information distribution means 1 is obtained, and the connection time is set by itself.

Of course, the connection time is also stored in the operation means 16.
May be used to set manually. In this case, a time zone recommended by the line connection operator is specified. If the time is after this time zone, the latest electronic content can be obtained. The electronic content may not be updated before the recommended time zone. If the display times of a plurality of users overlap, the connection time zone may be adjusted so that the connection times for calling the information distribution means 1 on the line connection provider side do not overlap.

A keyboard, a mouse, and the like are used for the operation means 16. The control device 12 controls the communication modem 11 and the storage device 1 based on operation means 16 operated by the user.
3. The input and output of the display device 14 and the sound device 15 are controlled. The control unit 12 calls the information distribution unit 1 at the connection time to the line connection operator set in advance by the operation unit 16 to connect the information processing device 2 to the terminal connection management device 3 and to execute the terminal connection management. The electronic content from the terminal device #i of the content provider is received and stored through the device 3, and then, at a preset display time, the electronic content is read from the storage device 13 and displayed on the display device 14. Is performed. A timer is monitored by the control device 12 to determine whether or not the connection time has been reached, and the time is compared with a preset connection time. It is determined that the connection time has been reached by this coincidence detection.

In this control, for example, the control device 1
2, a recording medium 17 is set when the usage contract is concluded, and the control device 12 operates with good reproducibility.
The recording medium 17 is sold and distributed in a form such as a CD-ROM. An automatic browsing application is described on the CD-ROM. This automatic browsing application is a control program that integrates a timer function, an automatic connection and disconnection function with a line connection operator, a download function of electronic contents, and an automatic display function thereof into one piece of software. This automatic browsing application may be prepared and stored by a line connection carrier. This is because this automatic browsing application can be distributed to each user for free using a network.

The recording medium 17 has a first contract regarding a use contract concluded between the line connection operator and the user in advance.
And a second procedure for setting a connection time for downloading the electronic content from the terminal connection management device 3 and a display time for displaying the electronic content on the information processing device 2. 1 is connected to the terminal connection management device 3 and the user's information processing device 2, and the electronic content from the terminal connection management device 3 is received and stored. And a third procedure for reading and displaying the control program.

The first procedure includes a procedure for registering a user with a line connection operator, a procedure for allowing the user to select a field of electronic content, and a payment of a usage fee for an automatic distribution service of electronic content. Procedure for inputting a method. This control program may be installed by a line connection provider when using the electronic content automatic distribution service. Recording media (automatic browsing application) 17
Is provided.

According to this automatic browsing application,
The control device 12 is operated so that the latest electronic content in a desired field can be viewed one after another at a fixed time without depending on a troublesome input operation or information search operation when the system start screen is started. Can be.

Next, an electronic content automatic distribution method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing example in the electronic content automatic distribution service system 10. In this example, it is assumed that any electronic content is automatically distributed from the terminal device #i of the content provider to the information processing device 2 of the user through the terminal connection management device 3 of the line connection provider.
It is assumed that the recording medium 17 is mounted on the control device 12 in order to install the automatic browsing application from the recording medium 17.

Assuming this, a use contract is concluded between the line connection operator and the user in step A1 of the flowchart shown in FIG. The usage contract is made through a communication line. At this time, the user is registered with the line connection company according to the first procedure of the recording medium 17, the field of the electronic content is selected by the user, and the method of paying the usage fee for the automatic distribution service of the electronic content is determined. It is input using the operation means 16. The customer data obtained here, such as the user's name, age, address, etc., is recorded in the database 4 by the line connection operator.

Thereafter, in step A2, a connection time for downloading the electronic content from the information distribution means 1 and a display time for displaying the electronic content in the information processing device 2 are set. At this time, the control unit 12 sets the connection time and the display time of the recording medium 17 using the operation unit 16 according to the second procedure.

Then, in step A3, the control device 12 determines whether or not the time of connection to the line connection carrier has come. The controller 12 monitors the current time to determine whether the connection time has been reached, and compares the current time with a preset connection time. It is determined that the connection time has been reached by this coincidence detection. If the current time does not reach the connection time, the control device 12 continuously monitors a timer and the like.

Therefore, when the time of connection to the line connection carrier has been reached, the process proceeds to step A4 to call the terminal connection management device 3 and connect to the information processing device 2 of the user. At the same time, the electronic content distributed from the terminal device #i of the content provider through the terminal connection management device 3 is received by the communication modem 11 of the information processing device 2,
This electronic content is stored in the storage device 13.

Thereafter, in step A5, the control device 12 determines whether or not the display time on the display device 14 has come. At this time, the control device 12 monitors the current time according to the third procedure of the recording medium 17, and compares the current time with a preset display time. By this coincidence detection, it is determined that the display time has come. If the current time has reached the display time, the control device 12 stores the storage device 13 in step A6.
The electronic content is read from the display device and displayed on the display device 14. If the current time does not reach the display time, the control device 12 monitors a timer or the like.

Therefore, the latest electronic contents in a desired field are viewed on the display device 14 one after another at a fixed time without depending on a troublesome input operation or information search operation at the time of starting the system start screen. be able to. As a result, it is possible to build an electronic content regular viewing business model that regularly distributes electronic content such as news, weather forecasts, traffic information, and menu information.

(2) Embodiment FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an electronic contents regular viewing service system 100 with advertisements as an embodiment according to the present invention. In this example, when a web page provided by a content provider is provided to a user, regardless of the initial screen of the information processing apparatus 2 of the user by the browser.
At a display time designated by the user, a Web page (a plurality of Web pages) of a genre registered in advance can be displayed on the display device immediately after the browser is started.

In the electronic content regular viewing service system 100 with advertisement shown in FIG. 4, a use contract is individually concluded in advance between the provider 23 and a plurality of users Hj (j = 1 to m). Service that automatically distributes electronic contents (hereinafter also referred to as Web pages) such as news, politics, economy, society, weather forecast, traffic information, hobby information, industry news, entertainment, sports information, etc. to their users Hj based on them. System.

This system 100 is provided with a provider 23, which distributes a Web page to the user Hj. The provider 23 always distributes the latest Web page sequentially updated to the user Hj. In this example, the provider 23 uses content from another content provider in addition to the content owned by the provider 23. For example, the provider 23 is provided with a plurality of content providers C # i (i = 1 to n) for news, politics, economy, society, weather forecast, traffic information, hobby information, industry news, entertainment, sports information, and the like. A usage contract is concluded in advance for the use of the Web page.

The provider 23 is provided with the terminal connection management device as described with reference to FIG.
#I is also provided with the terminal device described with reference to FIG. The provider 23 has a database 4 for customer management.
Is provided to record and store the content selected by the user Hj, the method of paying the usage fee, and customer information such as name, age, address, password, and e-mail address.

For the user Hj, for example, a notebook personal computer 22 is prepared, and when the user subscribes to the electronic content regular viewing service system 100, the regular viewing conditions and the like are set by operating the input tool 25 and the mouse 26. At the time of automatic browsing, the Web page by each content provider is automatically displayed on the monitor 24 without these operations.

Further, an area-limited advertisement relating to the residence area of the user Hj is distributed together with the Web page from the provider 23 to the personal computer 22 of the user Hj. For example, advertisement information on a large sale such as a major local supermarket in the area to which the provider 23 belongs is distributed in a form inserted between Web pages. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the advertising fee is paid to the provider 23 from the supermarkets as the advertisers 6 and 7 of the two stores. This advertising fee is reflected on the user Hj's web page usage fee, and the user Hj
The burden of the usage fee collected from is reduced.

The personal computer 22 of the user Hj is individually connected to the provider 23 through communication means such as a telephone line, the Internet, a satellite line, etc., and receives and processes a Web page distributed from the provider 23. Is made. In the personal computer 22 of each user Hj,
At a preset connection time (first time), the provider 2
3 is connected to, and the Web page from the provider 23 is received and stored. Then, when the display time (second time) comes, the Web page is read and displayed.

Next, a display example of the monitor 24 at the time of the usage contract of the electronic content regular viewing service system 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
Is prepared by the provider 23, and is displayed first when a setting application is activated at the time of using the system 100. On this screen P1, text information of "Welcome to the electronic content regular viewing service system!" Is displayed, and selection items of "category list", "charge system list" and "user registration" are prepared as a main menu. Have been.

Below this option, guide information "Click on a desired page" is displayed. When using the system 100, "user registration" is selected. An X mark in the upper right square in the screen P1 is a "close" icon.

The user registration screen P2 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed when "user registration" is selected on the main menu screen P1 shown in FIG. On this screen P2,
User registration items include "name", "furigana",
The entry fields for “Email address”, “age”, “address”, “password”, and “password re-entry” are all blank. "Password" is entered for identification.

Below the entry fields, operation icons for "send" and "clear" are displayed. The user enters necessary items in these fields using the input tool 25, and then clicks "Send".
This is for transmitting the user registration information to the provider 23. If a mistake is made, "clear" is clicked. To return to the previous screen P1, the user clicks the X mark at the upper right of the screen P2.

The category selection screen P3 shown in FIG.
Is clicked on the user registration screen P2 shown in FIG. On this screen P3, the categories are hierarchically classified in the form of a large classification, a middle classification, and a small classification. In this example, the screen P3 includes a list of categories such as "Today's Top news", "politics", "economy", "society", "industry news", "entertainment", "sports", "weather forecast", and "traffic information". "
The options related to "hobby" are displayed.

Below this option, guide information such as “select a category to view and click the send button” is displayed. Of course, it is also possible to select all categories. Below the guide display column, operation icons of “transmit” and “clear” are displayed. The user can select a favorite genre from this category. After selecting a favorite genre, the user is clicked on "send". This is for transmitting the category selection information to the provider 23. If the selection is wrong, "clear" is clicked. To return to the previous screen P2, the user clicks the X mark at the upper right of the screen P3.

The category detail screen P4 shown in FIG.
When one of the categories is selected on the category selection screen P3 shown in FIG. 7, the genre of the lower hierarchy is displayed. In this example, when "industry news" is selected on the category selection screen P3 shown in FIG. 7, the selection options relating to "electricity / communication", "chemistry", "transportation", and "broadcasting" are displayed as genres of the lower hierarchy. Is done.

"Send" is displayed below the selection display field.
An icon for an operation of "clear" is displayed. The user can set a favorite genre from the options. After deciding a favorite genre, the user is clicked on “setting”. This is for transmitting the genre setting information to the provider 23. If the setting is incorrect, "clear" is clicked. To return to the previous screen P3, the user clicks the X mark at the upper right of the screen P4.

FIG. 9 is a monitor 2 showing a display example of a payment method setting screen P5 when using the electronic content automatic distribution service.
FIG. 4 is an image diagram of FIG. A plurality of settlement methods such as bank transfer, credit card, bill payment, and the like are applied as a payment method for the electronic content automatic distribution service. In this example, a case where a credit card is selected will be described.

The payment method setting screen P5 shown in FIG.
When "setting" is clicked on the category detail screen P4 shown in FIG. This screen P5
In the table, blanks are provided for the entry fields for "card name", "credit number", and "expiration date" as the "payment method".

Below this entry field are displayed icons for operations of “transmit” and “clear”. The user uses the input tool 25 to enter necessary items in these fields, and then clicks “Send”.
This is for transmitting setting information to the provider 23 regarding the payment method at the time of using the service. If a mistake is made, "clear" is clicked. Previous screen P4
Is returned, the user clicks the X mark at the upper right of the screen P5.

On these screens P1 to P5, a use contract can be concluded between the provider 23 and the user related to the electronic content automatic distribution service, and user registration information, category selection information, genre setting information and payment method can be made. The usage contract is completed when the setting information regarding the transmission is transmitted to the provider 23.

A start time setting screen P6 shown in FIG.
Is displayed after clicking "Send" on the payment method setting screen P5 shown in FIG. In this screen P6, the entry fields for “year”, “month”, “day”, “hour”, and “minute” are all blank as the time at which the user's personal computer 22 is started. Below the entry column, options for “connection time” and “display time” are displayed.

When "connection time" is selected, a first time for starting the user's personal computer 22 and connecting to the provider 23 is set. The connection time is selected from the time zone recommended by the provider 23.
If "display time" is selected, the user's PC 2
2 is operated to set a second time for displaying a Web page on the monitor 24. This display time is similar to the wake-up time by the timer.

In this example, only the “display time” may be set, and the setting of the “connection time” may be left to the function of the personal computer 22. For example, when the “display time” is set, the personal computer 22 calculates backward from this display time and
3 is called, a connection time (first time) for connection is obtained, and this connection time is set by itself.

Below this entry column, icons for operations of "save", "cancel", and "apply" are displayed. The user fills in these fields using the input tool 25, and then clicks "Save" and "Apply". If a mistake is made, "cancel" is clicked. After clicking "Save" and "Apply", for example, the display returns to the display example of the main menu screen P1.

Subsequently, We as an embodiment according to the present invention will be described.
A method for automatically distributing page b will be described.

[Processing example at the time of use contract] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing example at the time of setting a use contract in the electronic content automatic distribution service system 100. In this example, the recording medium 17 (hereinafter referred to as a CD) set in the user's personal computer 22 at the time of setting the usage contract of the system 100 is set.
It is assumed that an automatic browsing application is installed on a hard disk in the personal computer 22 from the provider 23 via a network. As an example of a payment method for the electronic content automatic distribution service, a case of making a payment by a credit card is described.

Based on this premise, the user starts the personal computer 22 and starts the setting application in step B1 of the flowchart shown in FIG. Then, in step B2, the user sets the automatic browsing application to a CD.
-Install from ROM or install it in Provider 2
3 to determine whether to install via a network. When installing via a network, the personal computer 22 is connected to the network and the provider 23 is called in step B3. When installing from a CD-ROM, the CD-ROM is mounted on the personal computer 22 in step B4.

Thereafter, in order to conclude a use contract between the provider 23 and the user, in step B5, the CD-RO
In accordance with the first procedure of M, the user performs user registration with the provider 23. Here, the main menu screen P1 shown in FIG. On this screen P1,
Character information of “Welcome to the electronic content regular viewing service system!” Is displayed, and selection options of “category list”, “charge system list”, and “user registration” are displayed as a main menu. The user selects “user registration”.

As a result, the display is switched from the main menu screen P1 to the user registration screen P2 shown in FIG.
On this screen P2, as user registration items, "name", "furigana", "Email address", "age",
The entry fields for “address”, “password”, and “password re-entry” are all blank. Therefore, the user enters necessary items in these entry fields using the input tool 25 and the mouse 26, inputs "password", and then clicks "send". Thereby, the user registration information is prepared, and the user registration screen P
The display switches from 2 to the category selection screen P3 shown in FIG. The user registration information is temporarily recorded in a memory in the personal computer 22.

Then, the process proceeds to step B6, where the user selects a field of the Web page. Here, "Toda" is displayed as a category list on the category selection screen P3.
y's Top news "," politics "," economy "," society ",
Selections relating to “industry news”, “entertainment”, “sports”, “weather forecast”, “traffic information”, and “hobbies” are displayed. In this example, the user selects “Industry News” and clicks “Submit”. As a result, the display is switched to the category detail screen P4 shown in FIG. 8, which is a lower layer of the category selection screen P3.

The category detail screen P4 shows “Electric /
Options for "communication", "chemistry", "transport", and "broadcast" are displayed. After selecting a favorite genre, the user clicks “Setting”. As a result, the category selection information and the genre setting information are prepared, and the display is switched from the category detail screen P4 to the payment method setting screen P5 shown in FIG. The category selection information and the genre setting information are temporarily recorded in a memory in the personal computer 22.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step B 7, where the payment method of the usage fee relating to the automatic web page distribution service is input using the input tool 25 and the mouse 26. Here, in the payment method setting screen P5, the entry fields relating to “card name”, “credit number”, and “expiration date” are all blank as “payment method”. The user uses the input tool 25 to enter necessary items in the above-mentioned entry fields. Then, click "Send". As a result, the setting information regarding the payment method at the time of using the service is prepared, and the setting information is temporarily recorded in the memory in the personal computer 22.

Thereafter, in step B8, the personal computer 22 determines whether to install the automatic browsing application from the CD-ROM or to install it from the provider 23 through the network. When installing via a network, since the personal computer 22 is already connected to the provider 23, the process proceeds to step B10.

When installing from the CD-ROM, the user registration information, the category selection information, the genre setting information, the setting information regarding the payment method, and the like have not been transmitted to the provider 23 at the present time. The personal computer 22 is connected to the network and the provider 23 is called. If the user has connected to the network in step B3 to execute a usage contract, step B9 is skipped.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step B10, where the user registration information, category selection information, genre setting information, and setting information relating to the payment method are transmitted to the provider 23. The user registration information, category selection information, genre setting information, and setting information regarding the payment method obtained here are recorded in the customer management database 4 in the provider 23.

Then, in step B11, the automatic browsing application is installed on the hard disk of the personal computer 22 or the like. When this installation is completed and “Send” is clicked on the payment method setting screen P5, the display is switched to a start time setting screen P6 shown in FIG. Therefore, in step B12, the provider 23
The connection time for downloading the Web page from the PC and the display time for displaying the Web page on the personal computer 22 are set. At this time, in the personal computer 22, the connection time and the display time are set using the input tool 25 and the mouse 26 according to the second procedure described in the CR-ROM or the like.

In the start time setting screen P6 shown in FIG. 10, the entry fields of "year", "month", "day", "hour", and "minute" are set as the times at which the user's personal computer 22 is started. Are also shown as blanks. Here, the user is "connection time"
When is selected, the first time for starting the personal computer 22 and connecting to the provider 23 is set. The connection time is selected from the time zone recommended by the provider 23. If you select "Display time",
Operate the user's personal computer 22 and display on the monitor 24
A second time for displaying the page is set. Then, click “Save” and “Apply”.

As described above, according to the processing example when setting the usage contract in the automatic Web page distribution service system 100, the main menu screen P1 and the user registration screen P
2, Category selection screen P3, Category details screen P4
When a usage contract can be concluded between the provider 23 and the user on the payment method setting screen P5, and the user registration information, category selection information, genre setting information, and setting information regarding the payment method are transmitted to the provider 23. To complete the usage contract.

[Processing Example for Automatic Browsing] FIGS. 12 and 13
9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example (parts 1 and 2) at the time of automatic browsing of a Web page. FIG. 14 is an image diagram of the monitor 24 showing an example of automatic display of a Web page.

In this example, at least the display time is
Is set at 7:00 AM on April 1, and the connection time is set back by the personal computer 22 by calculating backward from the display time.
2 is activated. Of course, PC 2
2 is connected to a telephone line.

W downloaded from provider 23
The eb page is downloaded not only by the user at the time of the usage contract but also by advertisements, notices from the provider 23, and the like. The categories selected by the user in advance are “weather forecast”, “Today's Top new”
s "," sports information "and" easy recipe ".

Assuming this, it is detected in step C1 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 12 whether the self-set start time has been calculated by calculating backward from the display time by the personal computer 22. If the start time has come, the personal computer 22 is started in step C2, and the automatic browsing application is started. After the start of the automatic browsing application, the process proceeds to step C3, and the personal computer 22 is set in a standby state. This standby state is PC2
2 while the power supply of the control device 12 shown in FIG.
A mode in which the power supply of peripheral circuits other than the above is turned off. In this mode, to reduce the power consumption of the personal computer 22, the CP
The control device 12 such as U operates in a sleep state capable of receiving an external trigger.

Then, at step C4, the control device 12 detects whether the current time is one minute before the preset connection time. If the current time is one minute before the connection time, the controller 12 operating in the sleep state receives the trigger from the timer IC and restarts the personal computer 22 in step C5. . afterwards,
In step C5, the control device 12 detects whether the current time has reached a preset connection time. If the current time has reached the connection time, the process proceeds to step C6, where the communication modem 11 of the personal computer 22 is connected to the terminal connection management device 3 of the provider 23. Connected to terminal device #i.

When the connection between the provider 23 and the personal computer 22 is completed, the process shifts to step C8 to start downloading data relating to the Web page registered in the provider 23 at the time of the usage contract. Here, the downloaded Web page is not only the one selected at the time of the usage contract, but also the advertisement, the notice from the provider 23, and the like are downloaded together. The Web page distributed from the terminal device #i of the content provider through the provider 23 is received by the communication modem 11 of the personal computer 22, and the Web page is stored in the storage device 13.

Thereafter, in step C 9, the control device 12 detects whether the download of the data on the Web pages of all genres registered in the provider 23 has been completed. If the download has not finished,
Step C8 returns and the download is continued.
When the download is completed, step C10
Then, the communication modem 11 shown in FIG. 2 disconnects the line connection to the provider 23.

Then, in order to wait for the display time, step C
The process proceeds to step S11, where the personal computer 22 is again placed in the standby state. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step C12, and the control device 12 detects whether the current time has reached the preset display time. At this time, the control device 12 monitors the current time according to the third procedure of the automatic browsing application, and compares the current time with a preset display time. By this coincidence detection, it is determined that the display time has come.

If the current time does not reach the display time, the control device 12 continuously monitors a timer and the like. In this example, when 7:00 am on April 1, 2000, the control device 12 operating in the sleep state receives a trigger from the timer IC and starts the browser of the personal computer 22 in step C13. Is done. Then, in step C14, the control device 12 reads out the Web pages from the storage device 13 and displays them one after another on the monitor 24.

Thereafter, the control device 12 detects whether all the pages have been displayed or not (step C15). If all the pages have not been displayed, the process proceeds to step C16, where the automatic page turning process is executed. Thereafter, the process returns to step C14. The page feed is stopped and reproduced freely. In this example, as shown in FIG.
Starting from the clock screen showing M7: 00, “weather forecast”, “Today's Top news”, “advertisement screen”, “sports information”, and “simple recipe” are displayed on the monitor 24 in sequence. If a display repetition mode is set in advance, these Web pages are repeatedly displayed on the monitor 24.

Therefore, when all the pages are displayed on the monitor 24 in step C14 during the preset display time, the control unit 12 detects whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the process proceeds to step C17. When the browsing of the Web page is completed in the automatic mode, the process proceeds to step C18 after a lapse of a predetermined time, and the personal computer 22 is automatically again placed in the standby state.

As described above, the electronic contents regular viewing service system with advertisement 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
According to “0”, the latest Web pages in a desired field can be successively updated at a fixed time without relying on a troublesome input operation of a keyword or an information search operation at the time of starting a system startup screen as in the conventional method. And can be viewed on the monitor 24.

Therefore, "weather forecast", "Today's Top"
A web page regular viewing business model that regularly distributes web pages such as "news", "sports information", and "simple recipes" can be constructed.

Further, according to the system 100, since the access rate of the Web page to the provider 23 is increased, the profit of the provider 23 is improved, and the paid W
The web page can be provided to the user at a lower cost. If the access rate of the Web page is increased and a large amount of advertising revenue can be expected, a free Web page can be provided to the user.

Further, according to the system 100, based on the customer data managed by the provider 23, an area-limited advertisement (such as a large sale at a local department store) or an effective advertisement for each age group of users, for example, Advertising for cosmetics and the like, advertising for game software, and the like can also be provided with pinpoints.

[0098]

As described above, according to the electronic information content automatic distribution service system of the present invention, when automatically distributing electronic information content based on a previously concluded use contract, the electronic information content is received. An information processing device for performing processing by calling and connecting the information distribution means at a first time set in advance, receiving and storing the electronic information content from the information distribution means, At this time, the contents of the electronic information are read out and displayed.

With this configuration, the user's information processing apparatus can always use the latest electronic data in a desired field at a fixed time without depending on a troublesome input operation or information search operation at the time of starting the system startup screen. Information contents can be viewed one after another.

According to the information processing apparatus of the present invention, at the time of automatically receiving the electronic information content distributed from the information distribution means based on a previously concluded use contract, at least the input and output of the communication device and the display device are performed. A control device for controlling the information distribution means, calling and connecting the information distribution means at a preset first time, receiving and storing the electronic information content from the information distribution means, and thereafter, at a second time, It controls to read and display the contents of the electronic information.

With this configuration, it is possible to continuously watch the latest electronic information contents of a desired field in advance at a fixed time without depending on a troublesome input operation or information search operation when starting up the system start screen. Can be.

According to the recording medium of the present invention, the first procedure concerning the usage contract concluded between the information provider and the user, the download time of the electronic information content, and the display of the electronic information content A control program having a second procedure for setting time and the like and a third procedure for displaying electronic information content on the information processing device of the user based on the first and second procedures is recorded. It has been done.

With this configuration, it is possible to view the latest electronic information contents in a desired field one after another at a fixed time without relying on a troublesome input operation or information search operation when starting up the system start screen. The information processing device of the user can be operated.

According to the electronic information content automatic distribution method according to the present invention, when any electronic information content is automatically distributed from the information distribution means of the information provider to the information processing apparatus of the user,
A use contract is previously concluded between the information provider and the user, and at least a first time at which the electronic information content is downloaded and a second time at which the electronic information content is displayed. A time is set, the information distribution means is called at a first time to connect to the information processing apparatus of the user, and the electronic information content from the information distribution means is received and stored. The information processing device reads out and displays the contents of the electronic information.

According to this configuration, the user's information processing apparatus can always use the latest electronic data of a desired field in a user's information processing apparatus without depending on a troublesome input operation or information search operation at the time of starting the system startup screen. Information contents can be viewed one after another.

The present invention is extremely suitable when applied to an electronic contents regular viewing service business for regularly distributing electronic information contents such as news, weather forecast, traffic information, menu information and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an electronic information content automatic distribution service system 10 as an embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an information processing apparatus 2 as an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an electronic content automatic distribution service system 10.
6 is a flowchart showing a processing example in.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an electronic content regular viewing service system with advertisement 100 as an embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an image diagram of a monitor 24 showing a display example of a main menu screen P1 at the time of a usage contract.

FIG. 6 is an image diagram of a monitor 24 showing a display example of a user registration screen P2 at the time of a usage contract.

FIG. 7 is an image diagram of a monitor 24 showing a display example of a category selection screen P3 at the time of a usage contract.

FIG. 8 is an image diagram of the monitor 24 showing a display example of a category detail screen P4 which is a lower hierarchy of the category selection screen P3.

FIG. 9 is an image diagram of the monitor 24 showing a display example of a payment method setting screen P5 when using the electronic content automatic distribution service.

FIG. 10 is an image diagram of a monitor 24 showing a display example of a start time setting screen P6 when using an electronic content automatic distribution service.

FIG. 11 is an electronic content automatic distribution service system 1
It is a flowchart which shows the example of a process at the time of use contract setting in 00.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a process at the time of automatically browsing a Web page (part 1).
It is a flowchart which shows.

FIG. 13 is a process example of automatically browsing a Web page (part 2);
It is a flowchart which shows.

FIG. 14 is a monitor 24 showing an example of automatic display of a Web page.
FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... information distribution means, 2 ... information processing device, 3 ...
・ Terminal connection management device, 4 ・ ・ ・ Database, 10 ・ ・
・ Electronic information contents automatic distribution service system, 11 ...
Communication modem (communication device), 12 ... control device, 13
..Storage device, 14 display device, 16 operating means, 17 recording medium, 22 personal computer (information processing device), 23 provider, 24 monitor (display) apparatus)

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A service system for automatically distributing electronic information contents based on a usage contract concluded between an information provider and a user in advance, comprising: an information distributing means for distributing the electronic information contents to a user. And an information processing device that receives and processes the electronic information content distributed from the information distribution unit, wherein the information processing device calls and connects the information distribution unit at a first time set in advance. An electronic information content automatic distribution service system, wherein the electronic information content is received and stored from the information distribution means, and thereafter, the electronic information content is read out and displayed at a second time. 2. The information distribution means selects a plurality of terminal devices for providing the electronic information content for providing the user with the electronic information content, and a terminal device for providing the electronic information content based on the usage contract. The electronic information content automatic distribution service system according to claim 1, further comprising: a terminal connection management device connected to the information processing device. 3. The electronic information contents automatic distribution service system according to claim 1, wherein the advertisement information is distributed together with the electronic information contents from the information distribution means to a user information processing device. 4. The electronic information content automatic distribution service system according to claim 3, wherein the advertisement information includes an area-limited advertisement relating to an area where the user resides. 5. The automatic electronic information content distribution service system according to claim 1, wherein the information provider distributes the electronic information content sequentially updated to the user. 6. An apparatus for automatically receiving electronic information contents distributed from an information distribution means based on a usage contract concluded between an information provider and a user in advance. A communication device for connecting and receiving the electronic information content distributed from the information distribution means, a storage device for storing the electronic information content received by the communication device, and an electronic information content read from the storage device And a control device for controlling at least input and output of the communication device and the display device. The control device calls and connects the information distribution means at a first time set in advance. And receiving and storing the electronic information content from the information distribution means, and then controlling to read and display the electronic information content at a second time. Information processing device. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein at least an operation means operated to set a second time at which the electronic information content is read out and displayed on the display device is provided. . 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control device sets a first time at which the information distribution unit is called and connected by calculating backward from the second time. 9. A recording medium for operating the control device is provided, wherein the recording medium has a first procedure relating to a usage contract previously concluded between an information provider and a user, A second procedure for setting a first time that is a time at which the electronic information content is downloaded from the information distribution unit and a second time that is a time at which the information processing apparatus displays the electronic information content; At the first time, the information distributing means is called to connect to the information processing device of the user, and the electronic information content from the information distributing means is received and stored.
7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a control program having a third procedure for reading and displaying electronic information content by the information processing apparatus at the time is recorded. 10. The advertisement information is displayed together with the electronic information content on the display device.
An information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the advertisement information includes an area-limited advertisement related to a residence area of the user. 12. A recording medium used when automatically distributing arbitrary electronic information contents from an information distribution means of an information provider to an information processing apparatus of a user, wherein the recording medium is used in advance with the information provider. Procedure relating to a usage contract concluded with a user, a first time that is a time for downloading the electronic information content from the information distribution unit, and a time for displaying the electronic information content on the information processing apparatus. A second procedure for setting a second time, which is: calling the information distribution means at the first time to connect to a user's information processing apparatus, and the electronic information content from the information distribution means Received and stored, and then the second
A control program having a third procedure for reading and displaying the content of the electronic information in the information processing apparatus at the time of the recording medium. 13. The first procedure includes: a procedure for registering a user with the information provider; a procedure for allowing the user to select a field of electronic information content; 13. The recording medium according to claim 12, further comprising a step of inputting a method of paying a usage fee for the distribution service. 14. A method for automatically distributing arbitrary electronic information content from an information distribution means of an information provider to an information processing device of a user, wherein a contract is previously made between the information provider and the user. And at least a first time that is a time at which the electronic information content is downloaded from the information distribution means and a second time that is a time at which the information processing device displays the electronic information content, At the first time, the information distributing means is called to connect to the information processing apparatus of the user, and the electronic information content from the information distributing means is received and stored, and thereafter, the information is transmitted at the second time. A method of automatically distributing electronic information, wherein the processing device reads and displays the electronic information. 15. At the time of the use contract, the user is registered as an information provider, the user is allowed to select a field of electronic information contents, and a usage fee for an automatic distribution service of the selected electronic information contents is reduced. 15. The electronic information content automatic distribution method according to claim 14, wherein a payment method is input. 16. The electronic information content automatic distribution method according to claim 14, wherein said information distribution means distributes advertisement information together with said electronic information content to a user information processing apparatus. 17. The electronic information content automatic distribution method according to claim 16, wherein the advertisement information includes an area-limited advertisement relating to a residence area of the user. 18. The automatic electronic information content distribution method according to claim 14, wherein the information provider distributes the electronic information content sequentially updated to the user.